DPI-611: Mass Media, Public Opinion, and U.S. Foreign Policy

Semester: Fall

Credit: 1.0

Syllabus: Click here for syllabus

Faculty: Matthew Baum

Schedule

Day Time Location
First Day 9/2
Meet Day M/W 2:40 PM - 4:00 PM T301
Review

Description

Investigates the various means through which the media and public opinion can influence U.S. foreign policy. Reviews historical perspectives regarding the “proper” role of public opinion in foreign policy and more recent challenges to this perspective. This will include consideration of whether and how the media influences what the public thinks about politics and foreign policy. The course considers such questions as: How does the public learn about foreign policy? Does it care about it? If so, under what circumstances will political leaders be responsive to public preferences? Does politics really stop at the waters edge? What effect has the advent of real-time global news reporting had on U.S. foreign policy? Is this a qualitative change, or are such claims exaggerated? The goal is to develop a coherent view of the interaction between the media, public opinion, and political leaders with respect to foreign affairs.

Also offered by the Government Department as Gov. 2881.